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Hi! We are Jess and Andy, and we are so excited to share our story with you!

We met in 2008 while attending graduate school. Although we were both in the same theatre program, we quickly discovered we had more in common than just theatre. We began dating and soon found ourselves building a life together in Philadelphia. In 2011, we adopted our first dog from a local pet rescue. We were married in 2016 and made the move to northern Virginia, where we are both high school theatre teachers.

We have always known we wanted children, and in 2021, we...

Jess is a high school theatre teacher. She absolutely loves her job and her students. She has been teaching since 2009, first in Philadelphia and now here in northern Virginia. Her students often call her “mom,” which is probably because she is so warm, approachable, and willing to listen to them. She creates a space where they feel safe to be themselves. I know Jess looks forward to becoming a real mom and creating that same safe space in our home.

Outside of school, Jess loves to be working on various projects. Whether she is planning an upcoming...

Andy is also a high school theatre teacher, but he began his career as a theatre production manager, actor, and designer. He now loves being able to bring his work as a theatre professional into his classroom. In addition to teaching, he also acts, directs, and designs for various community theaters in our area.

Outside of theatre, Andy is a huge sports fan. He was born and raised in Northeast Philadelphia, so he is an avid Phillies, Eagles, Sixers, Flyers, and Union fan. He also loves college basketball, always rooting for Temple University, Mount Saint...

We are a family that loves spending time together: playing games, cheering on favorite sports teams, watching our favorite TV shows and movies, cooking together, and listening to and singing our favorite songs. We enjoy exploring the local farmer’s market, going on hikes, and checking out new restaurants. We are so excited to begin sharing these activities with the child we adopt, introducing them to our favorites and experiencing new ones together with them.

In 2018, we purchased our home with the mindset that this would be the place where we would raise...

Growing up, family vacations for both of us included time at the Delaware beaches or the New Jersey shore. Both Jess’s parents and Andy’s mom have now retired to these locations, and they are eager to continue this tradition with a future grandchild. Our favorite adult vacations have been those where we explore a new city or rent a cabin in the mountains with our dogs. Our plans now include a list of cities that would be fun to explore with a child, as well as favorite cabin rentals that are kid-friendly.

Winter holidays are full of fun traditions....

We understand that the decision to place a child up for adoption can be a difficult one, and we are so honored that you would consider us as possible adoptive parents for your baby. We would love nothing more than to provide them with a home where they are unconditionally loved and supported, one where they are accepted and appreciated for all of who they are. We understand how important it is for a child to feel connected to their history and culture through things like open adoption, affinity groups, and a safe space to explore identity. Thank you so much for taking the time...